Carribian Cruise - Caribbean Cruise

Posts Tagged ‘Travel’

It started out as a simple week long cruise to Alaska.  My wife and I are avid cruisers…well my wife is and she drags me along. It may appear as though I am enjoying myself, but really I just want to get back to work.  My wife lets me work pretty much all the time, so I want her to enjoy the cruise.  For her to enjoy the cruise she has to think I am having fun too, so that’s why I pretend to enjoy myself.

 

Anyway, back to the Alaskan cruise…some people we met on a cruise were going to go, and so we were going to go along as well.  It’s always fun to cruise with people you’ve met before…assuming you like them of course. A couple of cruises back we went on a cruise to the Caribbean where a large number of people had been yakking at each other on the Cruise Critics message board for almost a year. People all going on the Caribbean cruise of course. It turned out to be a fantastic cruise.  We had so much fun with this huge group of people.  We referred to it as 62 best friends meeting for the first time.  We had some group party’s and a couple of blow-up dolls as mascots and we even had a Pirate theme.  It made the whole cruise far more fun.  Well for Kathy it was a lot of fun, I was just pretending of course.  There are a lot of pictures of the cruise, the group, and even the mascots at my cruisesrfun website.

 

But I digress…back to the Alaskan cruise.  Well, it turned out that a whole bunch of those folks that went on that Caribbean cruise decided to do another cruise together, this time to Acapulco Mexico.  The next thing I knew our Alaskan cruise had become our Acapulco cruise.  I much prefer hot weather to warm and warm to cold, so I had not been looking forward to the Alaskan cruise, but a cruise to sunny Mexico would be another story.  Er uh at least it would be easier to pretend to enjoy the cruise. 

 

One of the nifty things about this cruise is it stops at Zihuatanejo, which is where my step son and his wife got married on the beach. Actually, the beach was called La Playa Ropa, and the wedding was at a restaurant called La Perla.  Well…we thought why not invite our son and his wife and his sister and her husband to go along too.  They are great fun and our son’s wife is Mexican and speaks fluent Spanish…it makes her very handy when in Mexico. 

 

This cruise to Acapulco is at the end of October.  We will be on the ship for Halloween. You know what that means. It means that there will be a mandatory costume party. At least it will be mandatory for anyone married to my wife. Jeeze.  UPS has been making stops at my house several times a week lately bringing things like big fancy ear rings and costumes, and dresses…lots of dresses.  My wife Kathy really likes to dress up on these cruises. I pretend I don’t mind donning my tuxedo a couple of times each cruise.  Apparently I will also be getting dressed up as a Mexican Bandito…with bandoliers holding shot glasses instead of bullets, and holsters that hold tequila bottles.  Kathy is going to go as “Miss Piggy” dressed as “Big Bird”. Doesn’t make sense to me either, but check out our website in early November to see for yourself.

 

This cruise is aboard the Carnival Spirit, and we have never cruised on Carnival.  The last cruise I was on was aboard the HAL Oosterdam, a ship we’ve traveled on twice.  On that cruise I had my iphone, and I could check my email and visit my favorite websites from almost anywhere on the ship. I hope that’s the case with the Spirit.  As usual I will do a cruise review and post it on cruisesrfun.

 

Kathy has been in near constant communication with one of that group of 64, Judy, who happens to be a Travel agent.  So now we’ve been moved around, up graded and God knows what else, but we apparently have the perfect state room…with a wrap-around balcony and plenty of room for that cocktail party.  On this cruise our group will be around 20 people, and I know Kathy and two of her friends are planning at least one cocktail party for the entire group.  A lot of the original group of 64 still chat on the boards, and of course this upcoming cruise has a message board at cruise critics site, and there is daily chatting.  I never get involved in that stuff; I leave it all to Kathy.

 

The cruise begins in San Diego, and we will be staying overnight in the same hotel as the last time we cruised.  Kathy has booked us a room where we can stand on the balcony and watch the ship dock early in the morning.  Last time it was at like 5:00 a.m. or something…I don’t really understand the attraction., but I am pretty sure that at some un-Godly hour I’ll be up watch the ship pull up to the dock.

 

We usually build web pages about our cruise as we go, and upload them to the CruisesRfun website from the ship.  This time we will be doing the same thing.  I have a new digital camera that takes nice movies, and I would really like to begin incorporating videos into my website.  If we can upload at a reasonable speed I’ll certainly have some cool videos posted on the site before the end of the cruise.  If I am really lucky I’ll be able to get some really embarrassing footage of my children for all of their friends to view.

 

On this trip at least, what happens in Mexico will definitely NOT stay in Mexico.  Vive la Internet!

As you are exploring Caribbean vacation options, do not look just at the islands and cruises traveling between them. Mexico has a beautiful Caribbean coast, complete with paradise beaches, unique cultural destinations, and luxurious resorts. A Caribbean vacation to Mexico might be perfect for you the next time you plan a getaway.

When planning a tropical trip to Mexico, look at locations on the Yucatan Peninsula. This peninsula is made up of Mexico’s Yucatan, Campeche, and Quintana Roo states, as well as parts of Belize and Guatemala. As found in much of the Caribbean, the climate in this part of Mexico ranges from sunny and warm to extremely stormy. This region is in the Atlantic Hurricane Belt, which means it is susceptible to wind damage and flooding. Typically, hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30 every year. Late August to the end of November is considered the off-season and rates to Mexico are usually lower. At all times of the year, however, you can visit some of the famous tourist destinations in this area.

If you like to dive, Valladolid in Yucatan is your ideal destination. This town is the site of a number of sinkholes, which are connected via underground streams and caves. In some of the safe spots, you can swim, as well as dive into these underground caves with a tour guide. This is a unique opportunity for any diver, as you can see locations different from the typical ocean dive.

The Yucatan peninsula is also famous for its Mayan sites, which you can find in archaeological zones such as Kabah and Labna. One of the most famous of these is the ceremonial Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage site that includes an observatory, a ball court, and pyramids where they put on shows. A number of the Mayan sites offer guided tours, while at some you can also explore on your own if you want.

If you are more interested in what the coast has to offer, you can check out any of Mexico’s beaches in this area. Cancun is an extremely popular destination for international tourists, as it has a number of resorts and hotels with direct access to the beach. Along with sunbathing, you can try snorkeling, diving, fishing, jet skiing, sailing, parasailing, and a number of other marine activities. The great thing about the weather in this area is that, with the exception of hurricane season, rain usually clears rather quickly, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the beach.

Are you planning an upcoming trip to Mexico’s Caribbean Coast? If so, here are some travel tips to keep in mind:

¨ Apply for your passport early. Yes, United States citizens need a passport to get into Mexico and back home, even if you travel there via boat. You should apply for your passport at least three months prior to your date of travel, and it is better to apply about six month in advance if you can. Keep your passport in a safe place while on vacation, such as in your hotel safe.

¨ Do not drink the water. This is not an urban legend. When you are in Mexico, ask for bottled water, because the tap water contains bacteria that could make you sick. Locals have built up a tolerance, but as a tourist, you can become sick.

¨ Make sure you check customs laws. Without proper paperwork, there are certain items that you should declare when you come back into the United States. If you are going to shop while on vacation in Mexico, make sure you can keep your items! This can save much frustration and stress because by checking customs laws you know what can be brought back into the country.

You have a number of booking options when looking for a place to stay in Mexico. First, you can look for a hotel and plan your own activities. The cheapest options are inland, away from the coast, but remember that you may have to pay for beach access whereas hotels on the beach often give guests free access. You can also look at all-inclusive resort options. These can be very affordable and they give you more options with less time spent planning.

Even if you do not want to spend your entire Caribbean vacation in Mexico, you can use this as a starting point to for a cruise. Many Caribbean cruise lines spend time in Mexican waters before moving on to some of the islands you can find in this part of the world. Most people do not realize that Mexico is a prime location for a Caribbean vacation. This location should not be overlooked because along with unique cultural opportunities, Mexico can be more affordable than other island vacation options.

Many people now consider Caribbean cruises as excellent value for money and a good place for families to spend some time together; why not spoil yourself and be treated like royalty while you spend time visiting these idyllic tropical islands. It should be on everyone’s list of vacations with tropical Caribbean islands, clear, clean beaches and of course a fun filled time on board the cruise liner. There is a great deal of flexibility involved on the part of the liner companies and they can arrange short taster trips or a full fourteen days or more vacations.
The great thing about cruising is that these ships have immense experience in catering for just about all tastes so whether you just want to relax on the deck or want a full itinerary of events, they will be able to supply exactly what you want. You can guarantee the cruise liner company will have a package custom made to suit your needs as it is their job to ensure you have the best vacation ever.
In any situation where you are spending a great deal of money, it is worth checking out a few details that should put you on the right track and you travel agency will be a good place to start. Almost every Caribbean island will receive cruise liner guests but they can’t call on every one each trip as it would take to long so you need to look for a package that will call at the islands you want.
Disco loving people that don’t like to sleep will enjoy those cruise vacations that arrange activity filled days and non-stop party evenings. Some Caribbean cruise liner companies actually produce virtual tours and other information on DVD’s which can be collected from your travel agent or ordered online.
The main difference with this type of vacation is the number of changes of clothing you take with you as there is a greater opportunity to dress for evening functions. Women may want to take two or three evening dresses and men will need a tuxedo, they will probably get to wear it for a number of evenings.
A common mistake is for families to believe that cruise vacations aren’t very child friendly which couldn’t be further from the truth as most have more activities for children than they do for adults. There is always something for them to do and people to take care of them if you need a few hours of adult time.
But Caribbean cruises can be for adults to and there are those that do not have children on board. Other cruise liner packages are available and have been created for special occasions like weddings, honeymoons and anniversaries.
The whole idea of a Caribbean cruise vacation is that you enjoy yourself and just let go for however long you are on board because it may be some time before you go again!

What better way to escape those cold weather doldrums than a relaxing cruise to a warm destination. Cruises offer all the amenities of home, and many more. The all inclusive nature of a cruise vacation makes it easy to relax and put the thought of cold weather and work behind you.

Choosing a destination to escape those cold weather blues can be a fun challenge. There are many options for warm weather cruising. Some may choose the more exotic routes such as the Panama Canal, Australia and New Zealand, or even the Nile River. Others may choose the allure of the Mediterranean and the French Riviera. Still some prefer the South Pacific or the Mexican Riviera.

All of those destinations have a lot to offer, but the five destinations below are the top five for the warm weather seeker.

Multi-Destination Caribbean Cruise

This is by far one of the most popular cruise choices. The Islands of the Caribbean have so much to offer. They are as diverse as they are similar. The sandy beaches, blue waters, and lush jungles entice many visitors to jump ship at each port and explore the many offerings.

These cruises range from a 3 day excursion to 10 day island-hopping expeditions. Some cruises focus on only a couple of islands, while others make a swing around the entire area. On board the ship you can enjoy the entertainment and meals, while resting up for the day trips to the islands. Scuba, snorkeling, fishing, hiking, or simply exploring villages and mountain trails, are all examples of some of the adventures that await you on the islands.

While it is impossible to experience all the Caribbean has to offer in one multi-destination cruise, it does allow the traveler the opportunity to sample a little of each culture.This smorgasbord of experiences opens new opportunities for future vacation planning.

Barbados

While we are still in the Caribbean, Barbados is a superb destination. With nearly constant 80 degree temperatures, soft sand beaches, cool blue waters, and lush vegetation, this is a vacationer’s paradise; a relaxing cruise to the island makes it even more enjoyable.

Barbados offers a rich cultural history coupled with many modern amenities. Friendly, laid back people also make this a choice destination. Throw in some great water recreation, posh resorts, and a hopping nightlife and Barbados becomes an even better choice.

Hawaii

Although not well known as a cruise destination, Hawaii has always been a warm weather destination for travelers. The problem for most vacationers was choosing which island to spend their vacation on. A cruise through the islands eliminates that choice. You get to experience them all.

You could choose a cruise that started in Honolulu and then hop to each island for a great cultural and entertaining vacation. The time aboard ship could be used to rest up between visits to the islands. This is a great way to experience all the islands have to offer in a short amount of time.

For those who enjoy the on-ship part of the cruise the best, there are cruises that depart Mexico or British Columbia and float across the pacific for a very relaxing trip. These are much longer excursions. The onboard time can be spent enjoying all the amenities the ship has to offer before embarking on the many island adventures.

Aruba

Another Caribbean destination, Aruba, is well known for its nightlife. Aruba has often been called the Caribbean’s answer to Las Vegas, with its many lavish casinos and upscale resorts. This island relies on tourism to keep it going, with over fifty percent of its gross national product coming from tourism. That explains why the people are so open and friendly.

The trade winds help keep the temperatures down from the extremes, but the arid, dry climate promises plenty of beach weather. Days spent on the beach and in the warm waters, coupled with nights spent enjoying the resorts and casinos equals fun and relaxation. A low crime rate just adds to the air of relaxation.

U.S. Virgin Islands

This popular string of islands is a hotspot for cruise ship tourism. St. Thomas is the port of choice for shoppers. There are many other attractions and beautiful beaches, as well. Many cruise ships focus their trip on St. Thomas alone, and the passengers are not disappointed. However, the other islands cannot be ignored.

St. John is not a common cruise ship destination, but it is an easy ferry trip from St. Thomas. St. John offers a great look at the nature and history of the islands. And, if it is history you are looking for St. Croix is the destination of choice. It is rich in history with many historical attractions. And Water Island, although not on the cruise ship docket, is a short ferry ride from St. Thomas and offers a relaxing taste of paradise. With less than 200 residents it is an unspoiled gem in the chain of islands.

Oh My God! It’s official. Well, at least it’s unofficially official. I have a disorder. I’m a junkie. It’s called “Caribbean Obsession Disorder” (COD) and it’s described as “an uncharacteristically and sometimes irresponsibly compelling drive to seek out sensory indulgence identified with the Caribbean culture - including music, scenery, fashion, food and habitat. Often accompanied by alcohol and other substance use, social and/or career lethargy, disregard for authority and rebellious (antisocial) behaviors against provincial standards and ideals.”

There’s more explanation for this disorder, but I think you get the picture.

I suppose it’s not surprising that someone actually has a name for this state of mind, after all our culture is obsessed with pigeon-holing EVERYTHING. But it is ironic that it is considered a disorder. Why couldn’t it be called “Caribbean Delight Affinity”, or “Stress Management Through Caribbean Meditations”? Ah well, whatever you call it, I have it. I display all the symptoms, most notably the “rebellious (antisocial) behaviors against provincial standards and ideals”.

I think about the Caribbean constantly, I design my life around getting my next fix, and I experience serious mood swings and irritation if I am deprived from breathing that magnificent air for more than a month or two. My heroes are Earnest Hemingway and Jimmy Buffet.

I spend so much time cruising in the Caribbean that some of my friends are starting to have conversations about me that include phrases like “running away from reality” and “just won’t grow up”, and “can’t seem to hold down a real job”. About the only people I know that don’t see anything weird about being addicted to spending beautiful luxurious days plowing the blue waters of the Caribbean are teenagers, romance novelists and a couple of aging explorers I met in Nassau who were pirates born 200 years too late.

Oh sure, lots of people LIKE the idea of cruising the Caribbean. What’s not to like? But, most grown-ups relegate it to a tiny slice of life, something that one does only when the “important” stuff is under control. A tiny little carrot that dangles tantalizingly from the sticks of careers and mortgages and “responsibilities”. Perish the thought that cruising itself could be important, or that it could make people more productive, or better parents or better members of society. That’s just not realistic! Well, I beg to differ.

You know, it wasn’t that long ago that responsible adults shook their heads in dismay at the number of kids “wasting their time” skateboarding on those plywood half-pikes that cropped up all over the place. Of course, that was pre-1995, before the massive financial windfall of the X-Games, where today, those very same “kids” command million-dollar endorsement fees and light up ESPN with their extraordinary aerial acrobatics.

In 1990, Kimberly and John Puckett took a backpacking vacation into the Alaskan wilderness and while drinking in the sensational view from atop Sable Mountain they conceived of the idea of creating a specialty coffee house patterned after ski lodges and Alaskan cabins. That “Aha!” moment, which was made possible because they indulged their fascination of wild and woolly nature, has grown into Caribou Coffee, the 2nd largest coffee chain in the US (Starbuck’s is first).

Reaching back in history a bit, we can remember the story of a young cartoonist who envisioned a “world” where cartoon characters could be brought to life in a fantasy environment of sheer child-hood delight. Walt Disney’s efforts to build Disneyland were ridiculed and criticized for years, even to the degree that his immediate family worried that he might have lost his grip on reality.

Well, seems to me that we could use a bit more of that flight from reality. And it also seems to me that gazing blissfully at a priceless Caribbean sunset is a fantastic vehicle in which to take that flight. What if the best way get in touch with the real meat of life is to remove oneself from the travails and pressure of that life. What if the perfect incubator for creating solutions and ideas to address vexing problems was the deck of a cruise ship, or a sandy white beach? I think we are missing the boat with regards to cruising in the Caribbean. Rather than dismissing it as an anti-social disorder, we should celebrate it as an essential activity that spawns true genius.

And in that vein, fellow adventurers, I proudly don the label of “COD”, and pledge myself to discovering and reporting back to the imprisoned masses, the magic of Caribbean waters, and sunsets and all that other wonderfully indulgent stuff. And more that that, I invite you to cast of the dispersions and judgments of those timid souls who measure the quality of their lives in terms of how big their car payment is or the square footage of their houses or how predictable their lives have become.

Yeah, it’s not always easy. Family and friends will wonder about your “crisis of identity”, employers will fret over your laid-back demeanor and credit card companies will scratch their heads in bewilderment that you refuse to be shackled by the gods of debt and credit ratings. It won’t be easy, at least to start. But here’s what you’ll get in exchange:

•Delightful moments, sometimes whole days of delightful moments, where the only stress is making sure the SPF of your sunscreen allows you to get a great tan.

•Beautiful blue water, majestic seas, lazy skies, and visual experiences that bury themselves deep in your soul rather than smog, pollution, stress, traffic, alarm clocks, beepers, ringing telephones, blinking computers, packed schedules, mindless news about the latest self-destructive celebrity and obscene political commercials 24-7.

•Somebody else waits on you hand and foot (for a change).

•A menu of adventures and experiences that you won’t have, or won’t have time for, in your current life. Things like diving, horseback riding, swimming with sting rays or dolphins, four-wheel drive explorations of rain forests and ancient ruins, parasailing.

•You’ll meet people that don’t want anything from you other than to make your acquaintance and maybe share a Corona.

•Romance, intimacy and sex. Of course, it helps if you take someone along that’s already comfortable getting naked with you, but some great love stories have written their opening chapter against the enchanted backdrop of Caribbean sunsets. (It’s also been reported that a Caribbean cruise is 97% more effective than prescription drugs for erectile… oh, maybe that’s too much information for some. But, the side effects are all good.)

•You’ll see things, and learn things, that will never get on your radar screen while slaving away in the Monday - thru – Friday world of car pools, office politics and soccer practice.

•You’ll discover a new meaning for “alone time”. It’s the kind of time that sits outside the pace of life, that defies logic, that lets you get in touch with the piece of yourself that lies slumbering inside you. You’ll have thoughts that surprise and delight you, and you’ll tickle your fantasies in ways that you haven’t tickled them since you were a kid.

Now, I ask you. How could ANY of that be a bad thing? C,mon, it’s time to trade in some of those other disorders you’ve got for one that really rocks! Get COD!

Happy Cruising!

Most people who book a cruise for the first time (92%) will make their selection based on when they can go and how long they can stay. The second most important factor will be how much it costs. Everything else is dependant on those two items. In 2006, there were 112 different cruise ships operating out of U.S ports transporting about 10 million passengers on some 4,500 cruises. 70% of those 10 million people went to destinations in the Caribbean, and four cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Celebrity- The Big Four) accounted for about 3/4 of passengers.

If you fall into that broad category, your choices will be fewer, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for something you don’t want. But simply asking “What’s the best ship (or cruise line)?” is kind of like asking “What’s the best beer?”, or “What’s the prettiest color?” The very things that one cruiser likes about a cruise are the things that other cruisers vigorously dislike. The good news is that whatever you do like, there is somebody out there doing a bang-up job providing it.

Generally speaking, the Big Four specialize in the “more-is-better” approach to cruising, while smaller cruise lines focus on more specific areas, such as 5-star quality, small intimate ships, enrichment, etc. Here are some factors you can consider when choosing your cruise.Size of the Ship.

Here some general observations one can make regarding the size of the ship. What the passengers are there for.

The bigger the ship, the greater the attention paid to make sure that the ship-board experience is as unforgettable as possible. This translates into activities, distractions and a festive, socially liberal, fun-and-games atmosphere. If that annoys you, these big ships may rub you the wrong way. How many people you’ll be traveling with.

The bigger the ship, the more people there will be on it (duh). Generally speaking, families, singles and singles traveling in groups will prefer the non-stop beat of the large ships. On the other hand, if you prefer quiet and don’t like the crush of crowds at poolside or in the dining room, you’ll have much better luck in the smaller ships, especially the ones that hold fewer than 1200 passengers. The types of ports you will visit.

Big ships go to big ports. Certain ports, such as Roatan, Honduras or Vera Cruz, Mexico, are only available to smaller ships. Sometimes those ports are the very thing that makes the cruise quite special. If the ports of call are at the top of your list of reasons to take a cruise, consider booking passage on smaller ships that have extended itineraries. Age of the Ship

“Old” is a relative term in the cruise industry, meaning ships that were launched around 1990 or before (15+ years a go). Many of these ships were state-of-the-art at the time and trumpeted the absolute best cruising had to offer. But in the last 15 years, cruise ships have gotten bigger and more extravagant in ways that were unimaginable two decades ago.

Older ships are not bad, just different. Many are less efficiently designed and have more traditional layouts. Some of the extras and amenities that are common on the newer ships, like internet in your cabin, themed alternative dining restaurants, wave pools and ice rinks don’t usually exist on the older ships. Cabins are smaller, critical traffic areas (such as elevator lobbies and disembarkation lines) are congested and shops can be pretty cramped. Some passengers (not all) notice stale odors or complain that the ventilation systems in the cabins are cranky.

On the flip side, many of the older ships have been up-fitted and remolded in the last few years, and so are fine cruising vessels. They are primarily used on the shorter cruises (3-5 days) and generally charge lower fares. Take into the account the value of the cruise experience. Maybe the older ships aren’t as fresh and perfect as the newer ones, but the value they offer – what you get for what you pay - can be outstanding. Design of the Ship

Whether it’s accomplished with an extreme makeover or during the building stage, cruise ships place a premium on the design. Some are designed for luxury, some for fun, some try to strike a middle ground. Ships are often given “star” ratings similar to those given to hotels. Some ships are 5-star, such as Holland America. Others are 4-star, such as Carnival or Royal Caribbean. Keep in mind, if you want 5-star, take a cruise on a 5-star ship. Don’t take a cruise on a 3- or 4-star ship and then be unhappy because it’s not top quality. A good source available on the internet, is the “Galaxsea.com” Cruise Ratings site (http://www.galaxsea.com/ratings.html).

I also highly recommended the various message boards that populate the internet. Such sites as Cruisecritic.com or Cruisemates.com are an excellent way to see what other people say about the ship and the itinerary you are considering. You can browse the hundreds of posts by people who have been there, and you can ask specific questions of people who take cruising very seriously. Type of Entertainment

Whether it’s the combo that plays at poolside, the bands that perform in the clubs or the glitzy production numbers that grace the theatres, cruise ships put a lot of thought and a ton of money into presenting entertainment. Pick the right entertainment environment and you’ll spend sun-drenched days in blissful happiness. Pick the wrong one, and you’ll feel like you’re surrounded by a bunch of people scratching their fingernails on a chalkboard.

Entertainment isn’t just about the lounge/club/party scene. It’s also about cooking classes, lectures, watching a movie, wine tasting, the casino, getting your golf swing computer analyzed, karaoke, bingo, “game-show” games or touring the galley. You can get a good feel for the type of entertainment and activities a ship offers by going online and checking out the ships on-board newsletter. It lists EVERYTHING happening on the ship. Each cruise line’s website will have a sample version of their newsletter. If your travel agent is any good at all, they will have copies from a variety of cruises they have taken. Dining

For many people, a cruise is all about the food. If you’re one of them, you’ll want to learn what your prospective ship has to offer.Main Dining (aka Formal Dining). All cruise ships have at least one Main Dining venue and many ships have more than one. The main dining room is the embodiment of luxury and service on your ship and they all work hard to offer classy selections. It’s an opportunity to try food and preparation styles that you would never experience otherwise. The main dining rooms will also open for breakfast and lunch. There is no assigned seating for these meals, but you still get great service and the menu selections are very good.

Many ships now offer alternative restaurants that require reservations and/or a surcharge in which you can choose from restaurants that specialize in French cuisine, seafood, or any number of other themes. There is a $5 - $15 surcharge for each person, but for people that like the choice, it’s well worth the money. This option usually isn’t available on ships built before 1990, because the idea wasn’t popular enough to include the extra space needed.Alternative Dining. In addition to the main dining room, all ships have a variety of interesting food options. Each has their own version of buffet lines that operate through-out the day, and naturally, some are better than others. New York style delis, pizza and sushi bars, and the always popular poolside grills are but a few of the ideas that are employed. Most ships now also provide coffee shops, bakeries and ice cream counters which usually cost extra. Room service is available 24-hours a day (no charge), with pastries and fruit in the mornings and sandwiches and pizza the rest of the day and night.Available ServicesChild Care and Youth Programs. Cruise lines understand that the people paying the tab need to have a good time if they are going to come back again. And the way that you make sure parents have a good time is to make sure the kids they are traveling with have a good time.

If you are planning a family cruise, you’ll want to travel on a ship that provides the best environment for the youngsters in your group. On the other hand, if you don’t want to have your space invaded by youngsters, you’ll want to stay away from cruise ships that make their youth programs a priority (such as Disney). Programs are set up to provide age appropriate activities and are usually free of charge. There will be an orientation about the youth programs on the first day of your cruise so you can get all the information you need, as well as meet the people who will be overseeing your kids.

Almost all ships provide in-cabin baby-sitting services for an extra fee. When provided, these services require you to pay cash directly to the sitter, rather than place the charge on your ship-board account. Educational/Enrichment Programs. Alongside the more traditional programs like yoga, nutrition counseling and towel folding, some ships now offer programs on gourmet cooking, wine tasting, art education, digital photography, computers, flower arranging, ceramics and much more. Most are offered at no extra charge. The availability of programs increases the longer the cruise. Shorter cruises usually only have a single day at sea, which is the most popular time to offer these classes. Some cruise lines place as high a premium on enrichment programs as other cruise lines place on partying and fun.Spa Facilities. Across the board, most ships consider a good spa and gym to be essential. Most cruise lines outsource their spa operation to Steiner Leisure Ltd. of London, England, who operate the spas on over one hundred cruise ships, including all of the spas on Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Disney ships. In all probability, no matter which ship you select, you’ll have a quality menu of options and a good spa. Gymnasium/Fitness Center. While you can generally count on a consistent level of quality and service in the spas, unfortunately the same can’t always be said of the gyms. Some are absolutely spectacular. Others are little more than a closet with treadmills. The newer ships will have very nice gyms regardless of the cruise line. The older ships, i.e., those built before 1990, may or may not, depending on whether the ship has been recently refit. Exercise equipment usually includes treadmills, stationery bikes, weights and cardio machines and most come staffed with one or two Fitness Directors. Fitness centers usually include men’s and women’s locker rooms, whirlpools, saunas and steam baths. Internet. Most ships have some kind of internet access, but it is a relatively new technology as far as passenger services go. On the newer ships, there is access all over the ship, even in many cabins. But the older vessels have more limited access. “Internet Cafes” are as common as casinos. Cruise lines are working hard to implement ship-wide wireless internet access and they are definitely getting there. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to check your e-mail at poolside. In some cases, wireless access is limited to one or two locations. If you do bring your laptop, finding electrical outlets on the ship can be REALLY hard. Make sure your battery is charged. Laptops and wireless cards can be rented on board.Cabin Size and Options

There are basically four options for cabins; inside, ocean view, suite or balcony (some ships call it “verandah”). Inside: The least expensive cabin aboard. The size of cabins can vary greatly from one ship to another. RCCL Sovereign-class ships are ridiculously small (119 square feet), whereas a similarly priced cabin on Carnival is about 50% larger (187 square feet).Outside: Usually an identical layout to the inside cabins, but has a window or portal. The difference in price between a standard inside cabin and an ocean view cabin ranges from $10 - $40 per night (NOT per cruise) depending on the ship and the time of year. In almost all cases, outside cabins, whether or not they have balconies, are larger, sometimes by as much as 15%. If your outside cabin is on one of the decks that has an exterior deck, you won’t necessarily see much ocean and you’ll have to deal with people walking outside your window all day.Balcony. Before 1990, balconies were not considered important, and so most ships built during that time either didn’t have any at all or have only a few. For all of the newer ships, i.e. those built after 1995, balconies are plentiful. A balcony will add $20 - $30 per night to the cost of an outside cabin, which usually works out to about twice as much as the cost of an inside cabin. For a 3-day cruise, given the short amount of time you’ll spend in your cabin, a balcony may not be worth double the cost.Suite. Actually, “suite” is a pretty generous description, since what you’re actually getting is an extra large cabin (about twice the size of your standard cabin and 3 – 4 times the cost). There are some suites that provide separate sleeping quarters and private hot tubs on the balcony but these are very limited and very expensive (5 – 10 times as expensive as an inside cabin). Most suites are a larger, and usually better furnished, version of a standard cabin.

When considering cabin options, think about how many people will be sharing it and much time you’ll be using it. The longer the cruise, the more important size and balconies become. Location of the cabin also determines desirability (and cost). For example, lower cabins sometimes pick up engine noise or the sound of the anchor dropping, but they do tend to be more stable in rough seas. Cabins located close to the action near the middle of the ship are convenient, but may also be in high traffic areas which translates into noise in the halllway outside your cabin.Itinerary

Caribbean cruises are broken down into 3 broad regions – Western Caribbean (Cozumel or Playa del Carmen, Mexico; Grand Cayman; Key West, FL; the Dominican Republic; Jamaica; Belize; or Costa Rica), Eastern Caribbean (Bahamas, St. Thomas, St. John, Puerto Rico, or Turks & Caicos) and Southern Caribbean (Aruba, Martinique, Barbados or St. Thomas).

Western Caribbean cruises tend to include more sea days because the destinations are so far apart and the distance one must travel across the Gulf of Mexico is so long. If you take one of these, make sure you choose a ship you’re going to like because you’ll be spending a lot of time on it.

Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises usually include more ports of call (the islands are right next to each other) and therefore offer a wider variety of venues. That doesn’t mean you’ll have a wider variety of activities. The basic offerings from port to port will generally be the same type of activity, just different scenery.

Some things you’ll want to consider in addition to where you are going:How long will you be there? Ships that are in port for only part of a day only allow enough time for one shore excursion and may not leave time for shopping or bar hopping. Ships that stay in port overnight, or at least until midnight allow for more diversity of activities in port.When do you arrive/leave? This can matter, for example, if you want to do a sunset dinner cruise, but the ship pulls out sundown. Likewise, if you’ve booked a shore excursion on your own that requires a pick-up time at 9:30 am, but your ship doesn’t dock until noon, you’ll lose your money.How do you get ashore? Sometimes the cruise ships tie up at a pier and you just head down to the gangway and walk ashore. Other times the ship has to anchor away from the dock and deliver people ashore via tenders, which means there will be a bottle neck getting on and off the ship. This can be a major pain, especially if the ship is one of the super liners that has to disgorge 3,000+ passengers. Also, the roughness of the wind and water can hamper tender activities and can even cause the ship to decide to not stay in the port.In Summary

For many cruisers, you won’t really care about all of these factors. No problema. Just pay attention to the ones that are important to you. Whether you are booking through a travel agent or directly with the cruise line, ask about the issues that are important to you and make sure you check out the online reviews and message boards to get objective info.

HAPPY CRUISING!

The time cruises were only for older people or the rich are long gone. I  made several cruises in the Caribbean. Cruises are fun, relaxing and there are lots of things you can do or see!

And no, you won’t get bored on these ships, there is always something to do or see on the ship itself if you have a ‘fun’ day at sea. You’ll want more days on the ship, so you can just enjoy the facilities they offer on these ships.

The biggest advantage of a cruise: you unpack once and you go places all week, without having to pack your suitcase every five minutes! While you’re having fun at night or sleeping, you will be taken to your next destination. For example on a cruise in the Caribbean, like I did, you visit 3 or 4 islands in just ONE week!

So, this is the perfect vacation if you don’t have a lot of vacation days left and want to make the most out of it.

You can make it a relaxing vacation and read a book by the pool, or visit the beautiful beaches at one of the islands you dock. OR you can have an active vacation: swimming, snorkelling, horseback riding, biking… what ever you want, they usually have it! You can experience culture sights or do a mix of all of the above!

It’s a great way of travelling. And if you have a look at the price, which includes a good hotel, wonderful food, the entertainment and the places you can visit on your way, a cruise is not that expensive!

For more information, personal cruise reviews and cruise tips: check out http://www.isabellestravelguide.com

Cruising is now big business, only last week private equity group Apollo Management became a major shareholder in Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) having spent $1 billion for a 50 percent share of the company. Apollo has also recently purchased Oceania Cruises and has a deal with Regent Seven Seas and is a growing force within the industry. So what else is growing within the industry? Well the cost of a new build is staggering, Royal Caribbean are spending no fewer than $1.2 billion on just one ship, the yet un-named Genesis class ship due in service in the fall of 2009.Ships have grown rapidly, not just in cost but in size over the last few years. When you consider that Titanic was 52,300 tons and considered in its time to be a monster of a ship; nowadays car ferries are just as big. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line are renowned for being innovative within the world of cruising and are pushing the boundaries with their new cruise ship that will make the Titanic appear nothing more than a barge. At 220,000 tons the Genesis class ship will surpass the Independence of the Seas, due to enter service this spring, which at 158,000 tons will be the joint largest cruise ship in the world at present. It begs the question, just how big can they make a cruise ship?There is no doubt, wherever you look in the world of cruising, there is some form of growth. This year there is set to be 5 new builds and a couple of renamed ships cruising out of the UK alone. Add to this the number of new to Europe ships cruising out of the Mediterranean ports and Costa Cruises are set to send two ships to Dubai compared to only one last year. This all adds up to the number of ports being visited by cruise ships is set to reach an all time high.Another growing aspect is how we receive the news of what the cruise companies are doing and that is via the cruising website. Independent cruise websites are growing almost daily as more people try to get on the bandwagon of an industry that appears to be on a never ending uplift. The Cruise is one of these new, growing websites and has been designed by Drabdesign a UK based search engine optimisation company that has a history of cruising websites. What makes The Cruise stand out is the look and feel of a real newspaper and although it is still being worked on, it will have an archive of a whole year’s news. Being split into sections means if you are interested in the growing number of new builds, or news from a specific location such as US Based Cruise News even destination news, it will have it all.

This year plan an extravagant and unforgettable holiday with your friends or family. Have a relaxing and calm family or romantic time. Enjoy the lush tropical exquisiteness and spectacular landscape; it is a highly suggested romantic hide-out. It is certainly one of the most attractive islands in South Africa. The island has a sub-tropical temperature and has beautiful sun-drenched days. This is the most eye-catching place for the nature friendly people.

The place is adventurous and soothing too. For those interested in adventure there are a great number of outdoor activities, for those who simply want to lay down and get some tan there are beautiful beaches and for those who want cosy intimate time special resorts are available.

Especially for the eco-friendly tourists the St. Lucia Wetland Park is the most gripping destination. It has is a contender for World Heritage Site Status. Its famous and prominent ecosystems and biodiversity has no need to be described in words: it is simply a site to behold.

The other incredible locations which area must visit in St.Lucia include Pigeon Island, The Pitons, Marigot Bay and Sulphur Springs.

Pigeon Island is an exotic and inexplicable attraction of St.Lucia. It has wonderfully relaxing beaches which are peaceful and quiet and provide a soothing effect to you. This isolated island is the perfect place for some privacy and personal luxury. It also has historical significance and has old forts and camps.

The Pitons or sometimes known as ‘The Peaks’, have the UNESCO’s world heritage sites that are Gros Piton and Petit Piton.  These two clone sites are an additional breathtaking sightseer appeal and are worth a visit. For the people with an adventurous streak these peaks are a treat. A climb up these gorgeous peaks can be most refreshing. The view on the top is awe-inspiring.

Marigot Bay is considered to be the paradise on Earth, especially by the sea loving tourists who love to cruise. This cove also is appealing those who have a love for food and sun. Exotic and tall coconut trees, beautiful sandy beaches and the best quality of foreign food are available. When you are looking for some quality time with your family it is the perfect spot for picnic. Yachats are available for having a fun in the sea.

Sulphur Springs is a beautiful and attractive site; its beauty is one that is unforgettable and memorable for a life time. Its humid yet pleasing springs catch the attention of the tourists interested in extraordinary splendour. Diamond botanical gardens and Toraille waterfalls are also nearby and are a spectacle to remember. For those uninterested in just hot sunny days spent sun bathing, jungle biking is offered at Anse Chastanet. It is a whole new experience when you race through glorious orchids and French colonial ruins.

So this summer instead of wasting your money else where at some crowded and jam-packed island spend it on luxurious and exotic as well as amazingly beautiful and versatile St.Lucia island.